USC Women's Basketball: Paige Bueckers Consoles Distraught JuJu Watkins After UConn Win

Eva Geitheim | Apr 2, 2024

Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

The matchup between JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers in USC women's basketball's Elite Eight matchup against UConn did not disappoint. Trojans freshman wing Watkins scored 29 points, 10 rebounds and two assists while Huskies upperclassman guard Bueckers hit 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the two traded shots and scores. Both players were on fire as their teams went up against each other for a shot at making the NCAA Final Four, with Bueckers and UConn ultimately prevailing thanks to an 80-73 win.

What was just as impressive as their play on the field was the mutual respect the two players had after the game. Watkins was visibly upset after the loss, and Bueckers came over to speak to her briefly.

Paige Bueckers consoled JuJu Watkins after their Elite Eight matchup ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rykj3WeA9a

— ESPN (@espn) April 2, 2024

Bueckers spoke on how impressive Watkins' accomplishments have been this season, especially since Watkins has led a team this far as just a freshman, per Nick Kosko of On3.

“It’s tough, especially as a freshman to be leading your team like that, have no experience in this sort of environment, on this stage, and lead your team," Bueckers said. "You feel a lot of pressure ... But for her to have the year she had as a freshman, fearless, confident, one of the best players in the country, she’s got a lot to build on. I know getting here, feeling this loss, we’ve been a part of it, it’s very motivating. It lets you build experience on how to be better, how to learn from it. So just take the good, continue to build on that, and focus on what you need to work on and do that, too.”

Having previously led UConn to the National Championship game in 2022 before losing, Bueckers understands how hard it is to come this far and fall short. As a fellow first-team All-American like Watkins, Bueckers can also relate to all Watkins does for her team. Bueckers came out on top this time, but it won't be surprising to see Watkins triumph in future matchups like these with her talent.